Teacher Reading Series - Caitlin Griffey: What are the stories you tell yourself?

What are the stories you tell yourself? Like actually write them down. You know how if you say a word over and over and over again it starts to sound weird and not real anymore? Do this with your stories. Repeat them over and over and over until they sound batshit insane. Because, after all, they are. You are not the crap you tell yourself. Rewrite your story. Say sayonara to the garbage and begin to flood your mind with the truth. YOU are amazing. You are a miracle. You deserve happiness, love, and success. Then repeat that over and over and over until it starts to stick. Every time one of those bullshit stories comes into your mind, actively try to replace it with this new truth. This is called PRATIPAKSHA BHaVaNAM and it comes from Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Whenever a negative thought comes into mind, try to replace it with a positive one. This isn't to say you should live your life through rose colored glasses. This practice of pratipaksha bhavanam serves to help you escape damaging, unnecessary thoughts that hold you back from your purpose. I guarantee your purpose in life is not to sit in front of a mirror and cry about the shape of your body or beat yourself up about failing a test in school. You'll never discover your purpose by living in a negative space in your head. So try it. Dig deep and pull out those nasty thoughts that weigh you down. Begin the process of separating yourself from these thoughts. Figure out what makes you awesome. What drives you. What motivates you and what gives you a sense of purpose. Write that down. Remember that. And in those moments where you find yourself stuck on a loop of self doubt or self hatred, brush ya self off, take a deep breath, and remind yourself what a badass motherfucker you are!